NATCHEZ — Even the $780 a robber reportedly took after assaulting a local restaurant owner Saturday night did not satisfy his appetite for crime.

The robber grabbed a bag of chicken and fled from Paisano’s Italian Grotto after reportedly striking owner Charles Johnson in the neck and taking the money.

Johnson said he was in the back of the restaurant and went to turn off the fans and lights in the kitchen when he heard a noise.

Johnson said he thought it was an employee who was in the restaurant, but he said he turned around just as someone struck him in the neck with what he thinks may have been a cane.

Johnson said he fell to the ground, and the robber then took the $780 from his wallet, grabbed the chicken that had fallen to the floor and fled.

“I’m still a bit shaken up from the whole thing,” Johnson said.

Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White said Tuesday the police department is investigating a lead in the case.

“We have an individual we’re looking at right now that may be responsible, but we won’t release any names or anything until we know whether or not that is for sure,” White said.